EC to consider a ballot 'no sooner than November 19'
The new election commissioners will be asked to consider recommendations from Election Commission (EC) staff that a general election be held no sooner than November 19.
EC deputy secretary-general Sathaporn Santibutr would recommend an election date "not sooner than November 19", he said yesterday. Sathaporn is the most senior EC official after former secretary-general Ekachai Warunprapa submitted his resignation on August 17 and the three remaining election commissioners quit following a criminal conviction. Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said his party had no difficulty with a postponed election. The new commissioners needed to get settled and had local elections to endorse, he said. Nevertheless, a free and fair general election should be held as soon as possible, he said. Abhisit said the new commissioners would face considerable pressure and expectations from the public. However, political parties should not interfere with the selection of a new commission secretary-general, he said. Some support has emerged for former senator Kaewsan Atibodhi, an unsuccessful candidate for a commissioner's position. Thai Rak Thai Party spokesman Sita Divari cast doubt over the neutrality of Kaewsan, however, citing his participation in a campaign against caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Chat Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa said an election could be held on November 19 or 26. "If it is in the fourth week of November it will be on the 26th. Will that be too close to His Majesty the King's birthday? The 19th or the 26th are suitable, but I want to know when the registration days are. I don't think it should be after November or be as late as December," he said. He expressed satisfaction with the composition of the new EC and remained convinced there had been no bloc voting in the Senate. Sathaporn said EC officials were preparing to meet the new commissioners and were readying briefings to bring them up to speed, including legal ramifications of holding an election on October 15. The final decision on an election date rested with the commissioners. He said the appointment of a new secretary-general was the responsibility of the yet-to-be-elected commission chairman. Ekachai was considered to be on leave until a new EC chairman accepted his resignation.
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